144 ANGLING REMINISCENCES. 



kisli to compassionate a prime roe-buck because of 

 his big eyes and graceful attitudes. I sympathize 

 none with it. But the twain are gone, and have no 

 faith in thee, despite of thy pitying phrase. How- 

 beit, thou hast pitched upon a pretty covert for our 

 day-slumbers. The turf is to a wish, soft, green, 

 and free from damp ; and these birches, though 

 they want the architectural build and amplitude of 

 the trees we have left in our rear, form a cool, plea- 

 sant screen, such as we much desire to ward off from 

 us the sun's oppression. Let us rest our rods 

 athwart this bough. Have they not a picturesque 

 and natural look about them, as if they were things 

 of growth, not of handicraft? This is true luxury, 

 Doctor more so than wading waist-deep for a 

 nibble! 



Swivel. Allowed, Bill; but I have still an eye 

 river -ward, and fondle the notion of some huge, black 

 trout inhabiting yonder deep, half- sluggish pool. 

 Yet as for starting them now under such a sun, 

 'tis impossible. I am content to imagine their 

 existence, and should I be led to angle again in this 

 quarter, may have the good fortune to take prisoners 

 a creelful. At present let them enjoy life un- 

 tempted. 



May. Even so ; the sights and sounds on all sides 

 of us are infinitely more attractive to me than the 

 cutting off of their brief careers. Hear you not the 

 falls at this distance? how this continuous murmur 

 haunts the air, intermingled with the more lively 



